In this special prequel to Matthew Reilly’s The Tournament, Roger Ascham, the unorthodox tutor of Princess Elizabeth, is charged with tracking down a favourite prostitute of King Henry VIII’s who has gone missing.

Although a bit grizzly towards the end, I found that I did enjoy this mystery from Matthew Reilly.

Matthew has taken Princess Elizabeth (I) real tutor and woven a tale of mystery that is very good, with for me anyway the likable character of Roger Ascham.

This was a really good mystery with a good set of characters and well plotted and written.

I know Matthew has written The Tournament as the next full length mystery, but I would love to see more Roger Ascham novels and short stories in the future.

Writer, poet, entertainer and broadcaster Pam Ayres has been delighting the nation with her mix of comic poetry, prose and droll observations on life for over 20 years. This release is taken from Pam’s live shows.

Pam Ayres has the droll wit and prose that I just love. She is a delight to listen to. Includes some sketches . The series was originally made for BBC Radio 4.

She will brighten your day and make you laugh.

In time I will get the all the series. I have listen to this a couple of times, and keep coming back for more.

Mrs. Zant and the Ghost is a story of loss and renewal. Belief in the hereafter.

While Mr. Rayburn and his young daughter are in Kensington Gardens, they witness a woman who looks disturbed. Not wishing the lady to come to any harm, Mr. Rayburn follows her home and the tale unfolds.

I really enjoyed this short story from Wilkie Collins, it had just the right touches to hold you and keep you turning the pages. And it definitely helped having the sultry tones of Gillian Anderson as the narrator.

The audiobook is at a lower price than the Kindle edition, and well worth listening to.

It is October 1929 and Lady Georgiana Rannoch (Georgie to her friends) is 19 years old and has just finished her season without snaring a husband. She and her family are staying at their London residence Rannoch House, when Georgie receives not one, but two invitations. The first is to a masked ball at Broxley Manor where the elite set gather, like her cousin David (Edward VIII), and the second is an invite from the Queen, which has really got up her sister-in-law Figs nose, as she hasn’t been invited to either!

The penny drops when on the way home from the Palace, she realises that the royal family intends to marry her off to a foreign prince, one reputed to be mad.

At Broxley Manor the fun begins, with Georgie dressed as a fallen angel, she meets a handsome devil who sweeps her off her feet.

With gatecrashers, poisoner and anarchists, this party is going to go off with a Bang!

I just love these books. They are light, fun, well written and plotted mystery, with a great set of characters.

Delightfully narrated by Katherine Kellgren, who brings out the charm and the fun of the story. I can, and have listened to them more than once. And will probably keep going back, as they are so fun to listen to.